The power of the riff compels Valkyrie, a Virginia heavy rock group led by guitarists/vocalists Pete (also of Baroness) and Jake Adams. Their third record, Shadows, is heavy on the Sabbath worship, but isn’t afraid to go off the path on some interesting detours.

This first-ever live DVD/Blu-Ray from Soilwork, arriving right around the two-year anniversary of the band’s excellent 2013 double album, The Living Infinite, is a straightforward but effective time capsule of these melodeath giants circa 2014.

Max Cavalera (Soulfly), Troy Sanders (Mastodon), Greg Puciato (The Dillinger Escape Plan) Dave Elitch (ex-Mars Volta) came together to pool their individual strengths and see what happens if you throw ’em all in a metal blender.

It was only a matter of time before mad scientist Devin Townsend filmed a rock opera. He and his merry band of pranksters are as comfortable with gospel choirs as blastbeats, life-affirming, glowing choruses, and deathy bellows of Satan’s worst toothache.